American Colonial Government: Democracy, Rights & Founding Documents

What is Direct Democracy?

A form of government where every citizen votes on every decision.

What is Representative Democracy?

A system of government where citizens elect officials to make laws and govern on their behalf.

Define a Republic.

A government where citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests.

What does Limited Government mean?

The principle that a ruler or government is not all-powerful and power is distributed.

What is the role of the Legislature?

The branch of government that creates laws.

What is the Social Contract?

An agreement between people and the government where people give up some freedoms for protection.

What are Natural Rights?

Rights that citizens automatically obtain, including life, liberty, and property.

What ancient principle is associated with the development of Direct Democracy?

The ancient Greeks.

What form of government is associated with the ancient Romans?

The Republic.

What was the Magna Carta and what principle did it establish?

A document from 1215 that established the principle of limited government.

What is Parliament?

England's legislative body that makes laws to limit the power of the monarch.

What role did the English Bill of Rights play?

It limited the power of the government and protected citizens' rights.

When was the English Bill of Rights formed?

In 1689.

What rights did the English Bill of Rights protect?

Rights including no imprisonment without due process, no cruel punishment, and no taxation without Parliament's consent.

How did the Enlightenment influence U.S. government?

It introduced new ideas about governance and individual rights.

What was Thomas Hobbes known for?

The concept of social contracts between citizens and government.

What natural rights did John Locke advocate?

Rights that individuals are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

What did Baron de Montesquieu emphasize?

Citizen's rights and the rules that government must follow.

What was Voltaire's contribution to Enlightenment thought?

The advocacy for freedom of speech.

What idea did Jean-Jacques Rousseau promote?

The concept that citizens could overthrow a corrupt government.

What was the significance of the House of Burgesses?

It marked the beginning of self-governing and representative democracy in America.

When was Jamestown founded?

In 1607.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

A written agreement made by the Pilgrims to establish a direct democracy.

What did the signers of the Mayflower Compact agree to do?

Work together, allow citizens to vote, and follow laws.

What was the Plymouth Colony and when was it established?

A colony formed in 1620 by Pilgrims, establishing a direct democracy.

What was the significance of the first English colonies in America?

They were shaped by earlier ideas of democracy and established representative government.

What was the role of the governor and council in Jamestown?

To oversee the colony while allowing colonists to create their own laws.